Furniture

Every piece of furniture has a practical purpose regardless of how simple or grand it is, even if some pieces were built more for display than function. Today, furniture remains one of the largest areas of the antiques market and items are categorised by type and period.

The term brown furniture refers to traditional pieces made from dark woods such as mahogany, while pieces made from native woods like oak and walnut are sometimes referred to as vernacular furniture.

Famous historical makers include Chippendale, Gillows, William Vile and John Cobb. More recent market trends have seen modern vintage pieces appearing in specialist design and ‘Interior’ auctions.

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Memories of Betty and her business

12 April 2025

Auctioneer and valuer Clive Stewart-Lockhart has written a new biography of one of British Art Deco’s foremost figures - his great aunt Mary Stewart Lockhart, better known as Betty Joel (1894-1985).

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….and Cotswolds dealers in Chelsea

07 April 2025

The Cotswold Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association (CADA) held its first London fair - Cotswold Art Antiques Chelsea - at Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King’s Road from March 20-23.

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Isokon and Summers paved the way for Modernism

07 April 2025

The London-based design company Isokon, which produced furniture by Wells Coates and Marcel Breuer, and Gerald Summers’ firm Makers of Simple Furniture both explored the radical possibilities of lamination.

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Cotswolds event coming up in the Cotswolds…

07 April 2025

With the first CADA fair to be held in Chelsea receiving positive feedback (see story also in this edition), we now look ahead to a much more local event available for traders

Highly Important 17Th Century Charles II Floral Marquetry Table By Gerrit Jensen 2 1

Charles II marquetry table comes to market after decades

01 April 2025

What has five legs and could have given pleasure to British royalty? A table by Gerrit Jensen, of course.

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Mouseman works going, going, gong in Yorkshire

31 March 2025

The craftsman-made Yorkshire oak furniture of Robert Thompson continues to be in high demand at auction.

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Giltwood mirrors reflect demand

31 March 2025

Georgian giltwood mirrors were the big winners at Doyle New York’s (28% buyer’s premium) January 28 auction of British and European art and antiques.

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Traders toast fresh Denbies set-up in Surrey

24 March 2025

Sunbury Antiques Fairs has successfully taken over the running of the event staged in the Surrey hills

Italian giltwood sofa

Impressive 19th century furniture among highlights at sale of works from Welsh estate Plas Teg

19 March 2025

Welsh auction house Rogers Jones conducted its largest house clearance in over 30 years this month – the principal contents of Plas Teg in Flintshire.

2685IE Viscontea Niemeyer Chair 1

Modern furniture made with the Niemeyer touch

11 March 2025

As with Pierre Jeanneret and his vision for Chandigarh in India, Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) is famous for his involvement in the city of Brasilia as chief architect.

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‘Komai’ bachelor tea set sparkles at Sudeley Castle sale

10 March 2025

This silver and parcel gilt ‘Komai’ bachelor tea set by Elkington & Co sold for £16,000 (plus 23.5% buyer’s premium) at British Bespoke Auctions.

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Door open to next part of Beedham collection

10 March 2025

The second part of the Beedham Collection – an exceptional array of early oak furniture and associated works of art from the Derbyshire dealing family – comes for sale at Bishop & Miller in Glandford, Norfolk, on March 19.

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BADA Friends fund purchase for Tudor-Jacobean mansion

04 March 2025

BADA Friends has supported the purchase of a footstool for Temple Newsam in Leeds.

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Bath Decorative ‘brings new business to the trade’

03 March 2025

The Bath Decorative Antiques Fair returns to The Pavilion venue from March 13-15.

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Royal silver oils the deals in Paris

03 March 2025

Elaborate cruet frames from the pre-revolutionary period stand out in a traditional sale selection

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Oak back on the auction block in Salisbury

03 March 2025

Salisbury saleroom holds specialist offering staged as part of a three-day sale as demand increases

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Modernist Scandinavian lounge chair is among five lots to watch

24 February 2025

With estimates from £1000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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‘It is time to declutter’ declares earl as Holkham Hall contents hit the auction block

24 February 2025

Cellars and attics at famous Norfolk estate are cleared out as part of ‘housework’ to allow guided tours

Italian giltwood mirror

18th century giltwood mirror is among five lots to watch

17 February 2025

With estimates from £100, here are five previews of upcoming items

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Good furniture is ‘doing well’ says longstanding dealer

17 February 2025

Huddersfield dealer who started out in the trade 35 years ago talks of current selling trends

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